Dispensing of medicine streamlined

The Central Chronic Medicine Distribution and Dispensing Programme (CCMDDP) is set to change the way patients using chronic medication collect their medication.

CCMDDP is a joint initiative between Health Systems Trust (HST) and the Department of Health. Funded by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the programme started in 2014 with negotiations with private service providers.

With the programme up and running across the country, it was recently launched in the Amajuba, uMzinyathi and uMgungundlovu Districts.

The aim of the programme was to improve patients’ access to chronic medication and to pilot alternative acquisition, administering and distribution systems by entering into public–private partnerships in National Health Insurance districts.

If successful, public healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics, would no longer be congested.

“Many patients have to leave home at the crack of dawn every month, just to collect lifesaving chronic medication. Some apply for a day’s leave, because it takes so long to get to the front of the queue,” explained Helecine Zeeman, HST’s project manager.

Currently, 15 568 people from Amajuba District were registered for the programme.

To register, patients need to enquire from their relevant healthcare facility to find out if they qualify to collect their medication from an alternative pick-up point.

To register, follow these steps:

Step 1 – Register at your healthcare facility to collect your chronic medicine at a pick-up point convenient for you.

Step 2 -You will receive an SMS to remind you to collect your chronic medicine from the pick-up point.

Step 3 – Collect your chronic medicine from your chosen pick-up point on the date recorded on your patient collection card.

Step 4 – Take your ID/passport/asylum permit and/or patient collection card with you when collecting your chronic medicine.

Step 5 – Sign that you have received your chronic medicine at the pick-up point.

Step 6 – After six months, go back to your healthcare facility for a check-up and a new prescription.

Once registered on the programme, patients can phone the toll free number 080 007 0070 with any queries about their medicine.